Russ Taff
Russell Taff (born November 11, 1953) is an American gospel singer and songwriter who grew up in Farmersville, California.[1] He has sung a variety of musical styles throughout his career including: pop rock, traditional southern gospel, contemporary country music, and rhythm and blues. He first gained recognition as lead vocalist for the Imperials (1976–81).[2] One of his best-known performances is the song "Praise the Lord". He has also been a member of the Gaither Vocal Band, and occasionally tours with Bill Gaither in the Gaither Homecoming concerts. As a solo artist and songwriter, Taff is known for the 1980s anthem "We Will Stand".[3] Taff has received various Dove and Grammy awards either as a solo artist or part of a larger musical group, most notably the Imperials.[1]
Russ Taff | |
|---|---|
 Taff performing at the Christian Music Hall of Fame inductions, 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Russell D Taff |
| Born | November 11, 1953 |
| Genres | Contemporary Christian, gospel, Southern gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, speaker |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Associated acts | Sounds of Joy, the Imperials, Gaither Vocal Band |
| Website | RussTaff.com |
Discography
Solo albums
| Year | Album | US Christian | Record label | Record producer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Walls of Glass | 5 | Myrrh | Bill Schnee |
| 1985 | Medals | 2 | Jack Joseph Puig | |
| 1987 | Russ Taff | 2 | ||
| 1989 | The Way Home | 1 | Darrell Brown, James Hollihan, Jr., Taff | |
| 1991 | Under Their Influence | 5 | James Hollihan, Jr., Taff | |
| 1992 | A Christmas Song | 6 | Sparrow | James Hollihan, Jr. |
| 1995 | Winds of Change | Reprise | Hollihan, Randy Scruggs, Taff | |
| 1999 | Right Here, Right Now | Benson | James Hollihan, Jr., Taff | |
| 2007 | Now More Than Ever | 41 | Spring Hill | Hollihan, Barry Jennings, Michael Sykes, Taff |
| 2010 | Another Sentimental Christmas | James Hollihan, Jr. | ||
| 2011 | Faroe Islands | Jákup Zachariassen, Óli Poulsen, Kristoffur Mørkøre | ||
| 2018 | Believe | Sweetwater Studios | Phil Naish, Mark Hornsby |
Compilations
- 1994: We Will Stand (Yesterday & Today) (Myrrh)
- 2003: The Best of Russ Taff (Spring Hill)
With the Sounds of Joy
- 1974: YHWH (Shalom Records)
- 1975: Sharin' (JoySong Records)
With the Imperials
- 1977: Sail On (Dayspring/Word)
- 1978: Imperials Live (Dayspring/Word)
- 1979: Heed The Call (Dayspring/Word)
- 1979: One More Song For You (Dayspring/Word)
- 1980: Priority (Dayspring/Word)
- 1980: Christmas with the Imperials (Dayspring/Word)
- 1981: The Very Best of the Imperials (Dayspring/Word) compilation
- 1986: Old Fashioned Faith (Dayspring/Word) compilation
- 1996: Legacy 1977–1988 (Word Records) compilation
- 2006: The Lost Album (Word Records) (originally recorded in 1976)
- 2006: The Imperials – Classic Hits (New Haven/Provident) compilation
- 2007: The Definitive Collection (Word/Warner) compilation
With Gaither Vocal Band
- 2002: Everything Good (SpringHouse/EMI)
- 2003: A Cappella (SpringHouse/EMI)
Appearances on other albums
- 1981: For Every Man Steve Camp "Thank You"
- 1981: Love Overflowing Sandi Patty "The Home of the Lord"
- 1983: More than a Feelin' Koinonia (Sparrow) "Give Your Love", "Divina"
- 1984: For People Who Don't Hear The Music Anymore (Word) Joyce Landorf "I'll keep my eyes you"
- 1984: Dancing with Danger Leslie Phillips (Myrrh) "Strength of My Life"
- 1984: The Praise In Us – A Word Family Praise Album Various Artists (Myrrh) "Simple Song For A Mighty God"
- 1984: Vital Signs – White Heart (Home Sweet Home Records/Myrrh) "We Are His Hands"
- 1985: The CAUSE (various artists) (Sparrow) "Do Something Now"
- 1985: Lulu Roman Smith "King of Who I Am"
- 1985: Sheep In Wolves Clothing Mylon LeFevre and Broken Heart (Myrrh) "Gospel Ship"
- 1988: Phil Keaggy & Sunday's Child Phil Keaggy (Myrrh) "Aint Got No"
- 1988: Can't Buy a Miracle Randy Stonehill (Word) "Awfully Loud World"
- 1988: Lead Me On – Amy Grant (A&M) "All Right"
- 1989: Our Hymns (Word) "Near The Cross"
- 1990: Phase II Eddie DeGarmo (Fore Front) "There's Something About That Name"
- 1990: Stolen Moments – John Hiatt (A&M)
- 1990: Through Flood & Fire – Sparks "Jesus Rescues Me" (Reunion)
- 1990: Our Christmas (Word) "Silent Night"
- 1990: Handel's Young Messiah (A&M) "He Shall Feed His Flock Like a Shepherd" with Sheila Walsh
- 1991: For Such a Time as This Sheila Walsh (Star Song) "A Dove Amongst Eagles"
- 1991: Big Town – Ashley Cleveland (Atlantic)
- 1991: Show Me Your Way Glen Campbell (New Haven) "The Greatest Gift of All"
- 1992: Above And Beyond O'Landa Draper & The Associates (Word) "Wipe A Tear"
- 1992: Innocent Eyes Tanya Goodman Sykes (Benson) "Who At My Door is Standing?"
- 1992: No Compromise: Remembering the Music of Keith Green (Sparrow) "Your Love Broke Through"
- 1992: Did You Think to Pray This Morning? – The Johnson Sisters with Russ Taff (Canaan)
- 1993: Lead Me Not – Lari White (RCA)
- 1993: Sweet Relief: A Benefit for Victoria Williams – various artists (Thirsty Ear/Chaos)
- 1995: Beyond December – First Call (Warner Alliance)
- 1996: Way I Should – Iris DeMent (Warner Bros.)
- 1997: Fire Down Below original soundtrack (Warner Brothers) "I'd Walk Through Fire"
- 1997: Misguided Roses – Edwin McCain Band (Atlantic)
- 1998: Alabama Song – Allison Moorer (MCA)
- 1998: The Apostle original soundtrack (Rising Tide) "There Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down"
- 1998: Joy – Melissa Manchester (Capitol)
- 1998: Mission 3:16 – Carman (Sparrow) "People of God"
- 1998: Totally Committed – Jeff Foxworthy (Warner Bros.)
- 1998: Jesus Saves Greg Long(Myrrh) "Prove That By Me"
- 1999: Vestal & Friends Vestal Goodman "Giver of Life"
- 1999: Bridges original soundtrack (Verity) "Raven and the Dove"
- 2000: Child of the Promise original cast recording (Sparrow) "The Mary I Know", "Mary Recitative", "Zacharias Recitative", "Nothing Ever Happens To A Shepherd"
- 2000: Hands of Time Anthony Burger (Daywind) "I Wish We'd All Been Ready"
- 2000: Ordinary Day Jeff and Sheri Easter (Spring Hill) "One Way"
- 2001: Supernatural – The Raphaels (Track Records)
- 2001: Press On Selah (Curb) "Were You There"
- 2002: Traveling Light: Songs from the 23rd Psalm (Brentwood) "Let It Flow"
- 2002: Edge of the World Randy Stonehill (Fair Oaks) "We Were So Young"
- 2004: Better Days Frank Bradford (Frb Records) "Watergrave"
- 2005: Hymned No. 1 Bart Millard (of MercyMe) (INO/Epic) "Precious Lord, Take My Hand"
- 2006: Stand Avalon (Sparrow/EMI) "We Will Stand"
- 2008: Fall Like Rain Clint Brown (Tribe Records) "I'm Forgiven"
- 2016: Circuit Rider – William Lee Golden (Gaither Gospel Series)
Solo singles
| Year | Single | US Country | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | "We Will Stand" | Walls of Glass | |
| 1985 | "I'm Not Alone" | Medals | |
| 1995 | "Love Is Not a Thing" | 53 | Winds of Change |
| "One and Only Love" | 51 | ||
| "Bein' Happy" | 66 |
Video
Long-form
- 1982: More Than Music No. 1 (Word) (originally aired as a TV show in 1981) "I Go to the Rock", "Here We Are" (duet with Amy Grant)
- 1992: Russ Taff: A Christmas Song (Sparrow)
- 2002: I Do Believe Gaither Vocal Band "One Way"
- 2006: Ernie Haase & Signature Sound "Hold To God's Unchanging Hand"
- 2007: The Best of Russ Taff From the Gaither Homecoming Series
- 2007: Timeless: Concert of Faith & Inspiration
- 2009: Gaither Vocal Band Reunion: Vol. 1 "Born Again", "Heartbreak Ridge And New Hope Road", "Knowing You'll Be There"
- 2009: Gaither Vocal Band Reunion: Vol. 2 "The Really Big News", "When The Rains Come"
- Concept Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | "I'm Not Alone" | |
| "Not Gonna Bow" | ||
| 1989 | "Winds Of Change" | |
| "I Cry" | ||
| 1991 | "Life's Railway to Heaven" | |
| 1995 | "Love Is Not a Thing"[4] | Deaton-Flanigen Productions |
| "One And Only Love" |
Gaither Homecoming video performances
- 1998: Down by the Tabernacle "The Tabernacle", "I Saw the Light"
- 1998: Rivers of Joy "We Will Stand"
- 1999: I'll Meet You on the Mountain "Hold To God's Unchanging Hand"
- 2000: Good News "When He Set Me Free"
- 2000: Irish Homecoming "Ain't No Grave"
- 2000: Whispering Hope "O Say, But I'm Glad"
- 2001: A Billy Graham Music Homecoming, Vol.2 "My Tribute"
- 2001: London Homecoming "We Will Stand"
- 2002: Let Freedom Ring "When He Calls I'll Fly Away"
- 2002: New Orleans Homecoming "Praise The Lord"
- 2003: Australian Homecoming
- 2003: Red Rocks Homecoming "They Call It Gospel Music"
- 2003: Rocky Mountain Homecoming "The Workshop Of The Lord"
- 2004: Journey to the Sky "Trumpet Of Jesus"
- 2004: Passin' the Faith Along "Born Again"
- 2004: We Will Stand "We Will Stand"
- 2005: Jerusalem Homecoming "Bethlehem, Galilee, Gethsemane"
- 2006: Canadian Homecoming "More Than Ever"
- 2006: Live from Toronto "Trumpet Of Jesus"
- 2006: Christmas in South Africa "Higher Than Mt. Kilimanjaro"
- 2007: Amazing Grace "Amazing Grace"
- 2008: Homecoming Picnic "The Sweetest Song I Know"
- 2009: Joy in My Heart "Jesus Is The Best Thing"
- 2011: Alaskan Homecoming "Somebody’s Coming", "We Will Stand"
- 2011: Majesty "I Shall Wear A Crown"
Awards and honors
Grammys
With the Imperials
- 1977 Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational for Sail On
- 1979 Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational for Heed the Call
- 1981 Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational for Priority
Solo
- 1983 Best Gospel Performance, Male for Walls of Glass
- 1991 Best Rock/Contemporary Gospel Album for Under Their Influence
GMA Doves
As member of the Imperials
- 1977: Male Group of the Year
- 1979: Male Group of the Year
- 1980: Male Group of the Year
- 1981: Male Group of the Year
- 1981: Song of the Year – "Praise The Lord"
- 1981: Male Vocalist of the Year
- 1982: Male Vocalist of the Year
- 1998: Inducted into the GMA's Gospel Music Hall of Fame (with all five original members: Jake Hess, Armond Morales, Gary McSpadden, Sherrill Neilsen & Henry Slaughter, as well as Joe Moscheo, Terry Blackwood, Sherman Andrus, and Jim Murray)
Solo
- 1984: Male Vocalist of the Year
- 1986: Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for Medals
- 1989: Rock Album of the Year for Russ Taff
- 1989: Recorded Music Packaging of the Year for Russ Taff
- 2016: Inducted into the GMA's Gospel Music Hall of Fame
Nominations with the Gaither Vocal Band
- 2003: Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
- 2003: Country Album of the Year
References
- Powell, Mark (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (Second ed.). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers Inc. pp. 913–915. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
- Colin Larkin, ed. (2000). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 386. ISBN 0-7535-0427-8.
- "Christian Music Directories". October 6, 2010. Archived from the original on October 6, 2010.
- "CMT : Videos : Russ Taff : Love Is Not A Thing". Country Music Television. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
Sources
- Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music; Powell; pp 46, 47; Hendrickson Publishers; Pap/Cdr edition (August 2002) ISBN 1-56563-679-1 ISBN 978-1565636798
- Alfonso, Barry (2002) s The Billboard Guide to Contemporary Christian Music
- Jones, Kim (2008) About.com
- Larkin, Colin (2006) The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
- Mansfield, Brian (2005) Allmusic.com
- TPE Interview (2006). Today's Pentecostal Evangel
External links
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